North Carolina Parishes

I hope this information on North Carolina Parishes will aid you in your research.

Listing of Parishes sent in by Donna Sherron

Additional info and research from various sources

In 1709, there were four precincts or parishes in the Albemarle region: Chowan, Pasquotank,
Perquimans, and Currituck. There were three in the Pamlico region: Beaufort, Hyde, and Craven.
In Chowan Precinct was St Paul’s Parish in Edenton, established in 1701. This parish was
divided in 1715 and Southwest Parish was established. In 1722, the parish was again divided
and South Shore Parish was created, becoming known as St Andrew’s Parish in 1729.
Bertie County was divided from Chowan in 1722, and Society Parish was established at the
same time. In 1727, Society Parish was divided to form North West Parish, and in 1729,
Tyrell County was formed from Chowan, Bertie, Currituck, and Pasquotank Counties. St
Andrew’s Parish was established at the same time.
Craven Parish was established in 1715 and in 1741 became Christ Church Parish. St Thomas
Parish was established in 1701 in Beaufort Precinct. St Thomas Church is the oldest church
building in North Carolina, having being erected in 1734. In 1722, Bath County was divided,
creating Carteret Precinct. St John’s Parish was most likely established at the same time,
and is mentioned as early as 1724.
St John’s Parish, of Carteret Precinct and Beaufort, existed through the Revolution with the
vestrymen changing their titles to wardens of the poor continuing to meet yearly until 1843.
The original vestry minutes of St John’s Parish were rescued in the 1900’s when the fourth
courthouse was being dismantled and records were being tossed.
The vestrymen of St John’s Parish in 1723 included Christopher Gale, Joseph Bell, Jno (John)
Shaw, Jno Nelson, Richard Whitehurst, Richard Williamson, Richard Rutsell, Jno Shackleford,
Thomas Merriday, Enoch Ward, Joseph Fulford, and Charles Cogdell. Prior to this date,
apparently, William Davis and sons and Joseph Wicker were serving.
It is interesting to note that the first commissioners of the town of Beaufort included Christopher
Gale, John Nelson, Joseph bell, Richard bell, and Richard Rustull. And in 1727, the first justices
of the court were John Nelson, Richard Rustull, Joseph Bell, Richard Whitehurst, Ross Bell,
Joseph Wicker, Enoch Ward, and Charles Cogdell.
Another interesting fact is that several of the vestrymen serving in Beaufort were also vestrymen
in other parishes. Christopher Gale was also at St Thomas, Bath; and Joseph bell and John
Nelson served in Craven Parish, New Bern. John Bell, although not a vestryman at St John’s
Parish, Beaufort, was with St Peter’s Parish in Pasquotank. Joseph Wicker was also with
Currituck Parish. There were also several members of other parishes who were involved in the
beginnings of the town of Beaufort.
State was divided into parishes as follows:
St Paul’s Parish, in Chowan County
The parish was organized in 1701 as the first parish in the colony under the provisions of the
Vestry Act of 1701. A post-in-ground church building was erected the next year on an
undetermined plot of land just east of Queen Anne's Creek on what is now known as the Hayes
farm. Edenton would not be founded for another eleven years. By 1736, perhaps when the
post-in-ground chapel had outlived its usefulness, it was decided to build a new church in the
bustling town of Edenton, which was also the colony's capital. Here, the church occupied the
lots set aside for church and churchyard (cemetery) before 1722 and construction began on a
brick building that followed a form popular in Virginia.
Some two months after the Halifax Convention, and two weeks before the Continental Congress
had formally declared independence, the vestry of Old St. Paul's Church in Edenton met in
solemn conclave, and impelled by the wave of intense patriotism now sweeping over the land,
drew up the so-called "Declaration of Independence of St. Paul's Parish," the context of which
is as follows:
"We, the Subscribers, professing our Allegiance to the King, and acknowledging the
Constitutional executive power of Government, do solemnly profess, testify and declare, that
we do absolutely believe that neither the Parliament of Great Britain nor any member nor any
Constituent Branch thereof, have a right to impose taxes upon these Colonies or to regulate
the internal policy thereof ; and that all attempts by fraud or force to establish and exercise
such claims and powers are violation of the peace and security of the people, and ought to
be resisted to the utmost, and the people of this Province singly and collectively are bound
by the acts and resolutions of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, because in both
they are freely represented by persons chosen by themselves, and we do solemnly and
sincerely promise and engage under the sanction of virtue, honor, and the Sacred love of
liberty and our country to maintain and support all and every acts, resolutions and regulations
of the said Continental and Provincial Congresses to the utmost of our power and ability. In
testimony whereof we have set our hands this 19th day of June, 1776."
In early 1700's the legislature promoted the Church of England (Anglican Church) as the
established church of the colony and two parishes had been created by 1715: St. Paul's
and Southwest.
These served the Chowan Precinct residents. England had also sent missionaries from
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG).
Nov 12, 1701, 12 gentlemen were appointed Vestrymen for the Parish of St. Paul's
in the Precinct of Chowan. You'll recognize some of these names.
Hon. Henderson Walker, Esqr
Col. Thomas Pollock
William Duckenfield, Esqr
Mr. Nicholas Crisp
Mr. Edward Smithwick
Mr. John Blount
Mr. James Long
Mr. Nathaniel Chevin
Mr. William Banbury
Col William Wilkinson
Capt. Thomas Leuton
Capt. Thomas Blount
Berkley Parish, in Perquimans County
Berkeley Parish was created in 1715, and embraced every part of the present
county and part of what is now Gates County extending as far north as the
Virginia line.
The Lords Proprietors, members for the most part of the Church of England, were too
intent upon extracting wealth from their colony in Carolina to be willing to expend any
of their gains for the good of the colonists. Disregarding the petitions of their officers
in Albemarle, who saw the great need for missionaries in the struggling settlements,
they refused to become responsible for the salary of a minister.
But after a while the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts took hold
of the matter, and in 1702 a church was built in Chowan, near where Edenton now stands.
By 1709 Rev. Mr. Gordon, who was one of the two ministers sent out by the S. P. G.,
writes to the secretary of the Society from Perquimans :
"In Perquimans there is a compact little church, built with care and express, and better than
that in Chowan. It continues yet unfinished, by reason of the death of Major Swann, 1707,
who fostered the building of this church."
Among the vestrymen of this new parish may be found the following names : Francis Forbes,
Colonel Maurice Moore, Captain Hecklefield, Thomas Hardy, Captain Richard Saunderson,
Henry Clayton, Joseph Jessups, Samuel Phelps and Richard Whedbee. Most of these
gentlemen were men of note in the colony, and many of their descendants are now living in
Perquimans County. That the wealthy planters in Albemarle felt a certain responsibility for
the spiritual welfare of their slaves, was shown by the fact that master and slave alike
gathered together to join in the services held by the early missionaries of the Church of
England ; and that the master willingly allowed his servant to share in the blessings of the
sacraments of the church. A letter from Rev. Mr. Taylor, written from Perquimans in 1719,
records that he had just "baptized a young woman, slave of Mr. Duckinfield, to whom I have
taught the whole of the church catechism."
St. John’s Parish on the South West Side of Pasquotank River
No further information at this time. Research in progress.
St Peter’s Parish on the North side of Pasquotank River in Pasquotank County
No further information at this time. Research in progress.
Currituck Parish in Currituck County
In 1715 a legally appointed vestry was organized for the parish of Currituck, among the most
prominent of whose members were Richard Saunderson, Colonel William Reed, Foster Jarvis,
William Swann, and William Williams. The services of the Church of England were conducted
in the county during those early days with as much regularity as the scattered congregations
and the lack of facilities for traveling in that water-bound region permitted. In 1774 the General
Assembly passed an act to establish St. Martin's chapel at Belleville, and Isaac Gregory,
Peter Dauge and a Mr. Ferebee were appointed to take this matter in charge. In educational
matters Currituck was wonderfully alert in colonial days for a county so inaccessible from the
rest of the State. Probably the most noted of her schools was the Indian Town Academy built
in 1761 by William Ferebee, one of the most prominent men in North Carolina, on his plantation,
called by the Indians "Culong," and by the whites, "Indian Town." Many of the students at this
academy were in later days to be counted among the State's most famous and useful men.
William Ferebee's family alone furnished six members of the Legislature, three Revolutionary
officers, and one Colonel in the Confederacy in the War of Secession. For a hundred years this
famous old school kept up its career of usefulness, but in the so-called "negro raid" of 1863 it
met the fate that befell so many of the South's cherished institutions during the dark days of
18614865, and was reduced to ashes by the incendiary's torch.
Society Parish in Bertie County
When Bertie Precinct was established in 1722, the Southwest parish was designated for it,
but the name was changed to Society Parish in honor of the Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel. William Dukenfield of "Salmon Creek" was one of the early supporters and gave
52 acres for a permanent building in 1721 "lying on the northwest side of Ducking Run".
It was very difficult to find Anglican ministers willing to serve due to the low salaries and early
pioneer life style. The Rev. John Boyd, was the first Anglican missionary to come to the Society
Parish. Perhaps he came as the result of Gov. Johnston's plea to the bishop of London: "we are
a most heathenish part of American and have no sect amongst us but Quakers who daily
increase."
Rev. Boyd had a reputation for drunkenness and died by early 1740's when Rev. John Holmes
served for a brief time. Following these unsuccessful pastors, Bertie was dependent on
neighboring counties for their clergy until 1767 when the Society Parish called Rev. Thomas
Floyd, followed in 1770 by Rev. Francis Johnston.
The Revolution ended the Anglican Church as the established church, but the Episcopal Church
grew from these roots.
St Andrew’s Parish in Tyrell County
Bertie County was divided from Chowan in 1722, and Society Parish was established at the
same time. In 1727, Society Parish was divided to form North West Parish, and in 1729, Tyrell
County was formed from Chowan, Bertie, Currituck, and Pasquotank Counties. St Andrew’s
Parish was established at the same time.
St. Thomas Parish in Beaufort County
St Thomas Parish was established in 1701 in Beaufort Precinct. St Thomas Church is the
oldest church building in North Carolina, having being erected in 1734.
Tryon County was formed from Mecklenburg County in 1768 with its northern boundary being
the were established as follows: Granville line. Its boundaries, the said County of Mecklenburg
shall be, and is hereby divided into Two distinct Counties and Parishes, by a Line beginning
at Earl Granville's Line; where it Crosses the Catawba River; and the said River to be the Line
to the South Carolina Line; and all that Part of the said County which lies to the Eastward of
the said dividing Line shall be a Distinct County and Parish, and remain and be called by the
Name of Mecklenburg County, and St. Martin's Parish; and that all that Part of the County
lying to the Westward of the said dividing line shall be one other distinct County and Parish,
and be and remain by the Name of Tryon County and St. Thomas's Parish.
St. George’s Parish in Hyde County
The first services for what eventually became St. George's Episcopal Church were held in 1866
in Amity Academy, also known as Chapel Hill Academy. These, services were held by Reverend
Samuel Swann Barber who was the first missionary of the Episcopal Church in Hyde County. In
the fall of 1868 permission was re- quested of Bishop Thomas Atkinson of the Diocese of North
Carolina for the creation of a parish in Hyde County. Permission was received from Bishop
Atkinson for the creation of a parish in Lake Landing Township, and St. George's Parish was
officially organized on November 25, 1868. Reverend Barber was the first rector of the new parish.
The parish became an official part of the Diocese in May of 1869.
Northwest Parish in Northampton County
By 1727, a second parish was needed and was called Northwest Parish, but this became
part of Northampton County when that section was taken away from Bertie in 1741.
St. John’s Parish in Granville County
In 1746, when Granville Co., N.C. was formed from Edgecombe, St. John's Parish was
created, including all of Granville Co. In 1761, Granville Co. was divided into two parishes,
the western part becoming Granville Parish and the eastern part remaining St. John's. In
1764, the whole of St. John's Parish, the eastern part of Granville Co., became Bute County
and a small part of Northampton Go., N.C. was added to Bute, in 1766.
St. Matthew’s Parish in Orange County
The General Assembly of Colonial North Carolina originally constituted St. Matthew's Parish
in 1752 as the established church in the County of Orange. The parish was reorganized in
1824 and the present building was consecrated on May 21, 1826. St. Matthew's has continued
as the Episcopal parish in Hillsborough and northern Orange County from that time to the
present.
St Luke’s Parish in Rowan County
Created in 1753 by and act of the Colonial Assembly, St. Luke’s Parish conformed with the
boundaries of Rowan County, then the largest county in the colony. The church building
was erected in 1828.
In 1823, St. Luke’s Parish was organized by Bishop John Stark Ravenscroft during the eighth
annual convention of the Diocese held in Salisbury. The following year at the next convention
it was admitted to the Diocese. In 1827, an advertisement appeared in the Western Carolinian
requesting bids for 80,000 brick and a quantity of pine and oak lumber, planks, and shingles.
The bricks were provided by the widow of General John Steele and the grounds for the church
were given by Major John Beard, with a deed of September 15, 1827. The Gothic Revival style
church, designed by Rev. Francis L. Hawks, was built in 1828. Hillsborough mason and John
Berry built the Gothic Revival church out of brick in Flemish bond. The church opened under
the ministry of Rev. Thomas Wright, who stayed until 1832.
St. David’s Parish in Cumberland County
No further information at this time. Research in progress.
St. Gabriel’s Parish in Duplin County
In 1749, Duplin County was formed from the territory of New Hanover lying north of a “Line
beginning at the mouth of Rock Fish Creek, on the North-East River of Cape-Fear, running
East to Onslow County, and westward, by a straight line from the mouth of the said creek,
to the upper forks of Black River, where Cohecry and the Six Runs meet, thence up
Cohecry to the head thereof.” By this act, the same territory was erected into St. Gabriel
Parish. John Sampson and Henry Hyrne were directed to run the line. The justices of the
peace were ordered to hold their first court at the house of William McRee at Goshen, at
which court they should select a site for the courthouse, prison, and stocks. John
Sampson, William McRee, George Meares, Francis Brice, William Houston, Joseph
Williams. John Herring, Anthony Cox, Mark Phillips, John Turner, Thomas Suggs, and
Charles Gavin were appointed vestrymen of the parish.
St. George’s Parish in Anson County
At its formation Anson's boundaries were established by the General Assembly of
North Carolina.
...That Bladen County be divided by a Line. beginning at the Place where the South
Line of this Province crosseth the Westermost Branch of the Little Pee-Dee River.
than by a straight line to a Place where the Commissioners for running the Southern
Boundary of this Province crosseth that Branch of the Little Pee-Dee River. called
Drowning Creek, thence up that Branch to the Head thereof; then by a Line. to run.
as near as maybe, equidistant, from Saxapahaw River, and the Great Pee-Dee River;
and that the upper Part of the said County and Parish so laid off and undivided. be
entered into a County and Parish. by the name of Anson County. and St. George's
Parish. and that all the Inhabitants to the Westward of the aforementioned dividing
line shall belong and appertain to Anson County,...
Edgecombe Parish in Edgecombe County
In the early part of the eighteenth century there existed in London England a society
known as The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts The society
was organized in 1675 but being inefficient was revised by Dr Bray of the Church of
England and a charter for propagating the gospel in foreign parts was granted by King
William III in 1701 The duty of this society was to keep in touch with the colonial
settlers and to maintain the orthodox clergymen in the British possessions In order to
do this an annual stipend of fifty pounds sterling was pledged by the society to pay the
missionaries whom they elected to come abroad The Crown also gave a bounty of twenty
pounds while the colonists were supposed to contribute a part of the clergymen's salary
As a result of the efforts of this society the first established and organized branch of the
Christian Church in Edgecombe County was formed After the transfer of the colony to the
Crown the precinct of Edgecombe was incorporated Provision was made for a parish with
authority to raise money by a poll tax not to exceed five shillings in currency the purpose
of which was to maintain the poor and to pay ministers A parish court was erected to look
after the social affairs of the people In this court the day laborer mechanic and blacksmith
were disciplined from time to time The constable of the village was also local officer
collected taxes and looked after the poor The church wardens were kept under bond by
the precinct committee as custodians of the vestry funds In 1741 the laws of North Carolina
record a law relating to those who had refused to pay taxes in Edgecombe parish because
of the uncertainty of its boundaries This proves that some movement for church organization
had commenced before or during this year In 1741 under an enactment by Governor Gabriel
Johnston Edgecombe County was authorized to establish a parish by the name of
Edgecombe At the same time a general church act was passed authorizing a poll tax which
in practice was found to be very burdensome Efforts were made to secure another law which
indicates that it was looked upon with disfavor even by the churchmen No other law was
passed and Reverend Mr Moir who was assigned to the parish expressed himself as follows
Nothing was done for the encouragement of an established ministry The sheriff of the county
was empowered to summons the freeholders to meet for the purpose of electing twelve
vestrymen who promptly after their election elected two church wardens An oath was required
by law for those serving as vestrymen In the oath the vestrymen were to express themselves
as not opposed to the liturgy of the Church of England A failure to perform this duty resulted in
a fine of three pounds proclamation money The term of office was for two years The jurisdiction
of the parish was confined to the boundaries of the northwest and society parishes of Bertie
County from which Edgecombe parish was formed The line of the parish began at the mouth of
Sandy Run thence up its course to its head and extending in a direct line to Ahoshie Swamp
From here it followed the old dividing line between the Society and Northwest parishes of which
Edge combe was formerly a part All the arrears which were due by the people of Edgeeombe
were to be paid to the parishes in Bertie Included in the general act for the erection of parishes
and the election of vestrymen was a oath prescribed for those who supervised the parish This
oath also contained an obligation to refrain from disturbing the King's peace to propagate the
interests of the church and not to bear arms against Great Britain The first authentic account
of a church being erected in the parish is in 1748 This church was designated by a reference
in a division of the parish as a Chapell near Elias Fort's on Tar River There is substantial
evidence that this is the church which was located about seven miles northwest of Tarboro on
the southeast side of Tar River near a small spring at Teat's bridge 1 Clement Hall who for some
time prior to 1744 had been a lay leader in Edenton was ordained in 1744 and made occasional
visits to Edgecombe County
St. Martin’s Parish in Bladen County
Tryon County was formed from Mecklenburg County in 1768 with its northern boundary
being the were established as follows: Granville line. Its boundaries, the said County of
Mecklenburg shall be, and is hereby divided into Two distinct Counties and Parishes, by
a Line beginning at Earl Granville's Line; where it Crosses the Catawba River; and the
said River to be the Line to the South Carolina Line; and all that Part of the said County
which lies to the Eastward of the said dividing Line shall be a Distinct County and Parish,
and remain and be called by the Name of Mecklenburg County, and St. Martin's Parish;
and that all that Part of the County lying to the Westward of the said dividing line shall
be one other distinct County and Parish, and be and remain by the Name of Tryon
County and St. Thomas's Parish.
St. James Parish on the East Side of Cape Fear River
St. Philip’s parish on the West Side of Cape Fear River, to the Bounds of the County,
inclusive of the Island at the mouth of the North-west and North- East rivers, commonly
called Eagle’s island in New Hanover County
St. Patrick’s Parish in Johnston County
The law establishing Johnston County also set up St. Patrick's Parish of the Church of
England with the same boundaries as the County. Vestrymen were appointed to serve
until the next general election. More than merely a governing body for a church, the
vestry attended to the needs of poor widows and orphans and generally served as the
local government's welfare agency.
Ten years after Johnston County was formed the territory was divided into two parishes.
Old St. Patrick's Parish remained in the eastern part of the County and new St.
Stephen's Parish was in the west. Voters of the new parish were to meet at the
courthouse at Walnut Creek to elect vestrymen while those of St Patrick's met at
Samuel Smith's on Neuse River in the vicinity of modern Smithfield. This move was
the first of several which resulted in the division of the large county of Johnston into
several others, one of which became Lenoir.
Christ Church Parish in Craven County
The Parish of Christ Church, New Bern, North Carolina, was organized in 1715, and
was one of the earliest parishes in the Colonies. In the year 1723, during the reign
of Georve I of England, a tract of land, the property of Mr. Cullen Pollock, was formally
laid out into a township, by the name of New Bern. There were lots provided for a
Church, court house, and market place. An act was passed, by the General Assembly
of the State of North Carolina, in 1766, that the Glebe land, which was formally
purchased at the expense of the County of Craven, for a residence of a minister of
the Episcopal Church, situated on Middle and Johnson streets, with all the
improvements thereon, should be taken from the Church, and the money raised by
rent or sale, should be used for erecting a new school house, incorporated and named
the New Bern Academy—no Rector or professor should be a trustee. The trustees
appointed were Hon. Richard Caswell, Abner Nash, Esq., John Wright Stanly,
William Blount, John Sitgreaves, Spyers Singleton, William McClure, William Bryan
and Richard Dobb Speight, Esq.
St. John Parish in Onslow County
No further information at this time. Research in progress.
St. John’s Parish in Carteret County
The first Anglican Church in Beaufort, St. John’s Parish, was organized approximately in 1724.
However, the increasing opposition of Baptists, Quakers, and other denominations contributed
to the decreasing number of Anglicans in Carteret County.
On Nov. 12, 1701, the Carolina Assembly passed the Vestry Act of 1701, making the Church
of England the official religion of the Carolina colony. Active opposition by Quakers,
Presbyterians and other religious Nonconformists, who lived there, ultimately convinced the
proprietors of the colony to revoke the act in 1703
THE STATE RECORDS NORTH CAROLINA
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES BY
ORDER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
COLLECTED AND EDITED BY WALTER CLARK
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NORTH CAROLINA
VOL XXV LAWS 1789 1790 AND SUPPLEMENT
OMITTED LAWS 1669 1783
WITH INDEX TO VOLS XX111 XX1V AND XXV
NASH BROTHERS BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS GOLDSBORO NC 1906
An Act for appointing Parishes and Vestries for the Encouragement of an Orthodox
Clergy for the Advancement of the Protestant Religion and for the Direction of the
Settlement of Parish Accounts
I. Whereas the present as well as the future Happiness of Mankind essentially
depends on the Knowledge and Practice of true Religion and a permanent and certain
Provision for an Orthodox Clergy may conduce to the Encouragement of pious and
learned Ministers of the Gospel to settle and reside in the several Parishes in this
Province to the Advancement of the Protestant Religion and Encouragement of Vertue
and Morality
II. Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Assembly and by the Authority of
the same That this Government be and it is hereby divided into distinct Parishes in the
Manner following That is to say St Paul's Parish in Chowan County Berkley Parish in
Perquimons County St John's Parish on the South West Side of Pasquotank River and
St Peter's Parish on the North East Side of Pasquotank River in Pasquotank County
Currituck Parish in Currituck County Society Parish in Bertie County St Andrew's Parish
in Tyrell County St Thomas's Parish in Beaufort County St George's Parish in Hyde
County North West Parish in Northampton County St John's Parish in Granville County St
Matthew's Parish in Orange County St Luke's Parish in Rowan County St David's Parish in
Cumberland County St Gabriel's Parish in Duplin County St George's Parish in Anson
County Edgecombe Parish in Edge combe County St Martin's Parish in Bladen County
St James Parisn on the East Side of Cape Fear River And St Philip's Parish on the West
Side of Cape Fear River from the Mouth of the said River running up the North West River
to the Bounds of the County inclusive of the Island at the Mouth of the North West and
North East Rivers commonly called Eagle's Island in New Hanover County St Patrick's
Parish in Johnston Oounty Christ Church Parish in Craven County St John's Parish in
Onslow County and St John's Parish in Oarteret County
III. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Freeholders of each
respective Varish aforesaid shall and they are hereby impowered and directed to meet on
the first Monday after the Tenth Day of June next after the Ratificalion of this Act at the
Court house or Place where the County Court in each respective County aforesaid is or
shall be held or at the usual Place of electing Vestrymen and on Easter Monday every
Third Year thereafter then and there to choose and elect Twelve Freeholders to serve as
Vestrymen for the Three Years next ensuing which Vestrymen so chosen shall by the
Sheriff or his Deputy in each of the said Parishes respectively be summoned to meet at
the church and where there is no Church at the Court house or Place where the County
Court is or shall be held within Forty Days next after such Choice to qualify themselves
according to the direction of this Act and if the said Sheriff by himself or Deputy shall
neglect or refuse to summon the Vestry as aforesaid he shall forfeit and pay the Sum of
Twenty Shillings Proclamation Money for each and every Vestryman not summoned as
aforesaid who shall reside within his District to be levied and applied as herein after
directed
IV. And be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every Sheriff or his Deputy
one Month at least before the Election of Vestrymen for the Parish or Parishes within his
County shall give Notice in Writing to the Minister and every Clerk and Reader within the
Parish where such Election is to be held of the Time and Place appointed for such Election
and the Minister and Readers respectively are hereby required to publish such Notice
immediately after Divine Service on every Sunday between the Receipt thereof and the
Day so appointed and on Failure thereof each Minister and Reader so offending shall
forfeit and pay the Sum of Five Pounds Proclamation Money and if the Sheriff shall fail to
make such Appointment and give Notice as aforesaid he shall for such Failure forfeit and
pay the Sum of Twenty Pounds like Money one Moiety of which Penalty shall oe to the
Parish wherein the Offence shall be committed and the other Moiety to the Informer to be
recovered with Costs ot Debt in any Court of Record
V. And that the Election may be made in a fair open Manner Be it Enacted by the
Authority aforesaid That at all Elections of Vestrymen hereafter to be made the Sheriff of
the County or his Deputy shall attend at the Court house of the County or Place where the
County Court is held or usual Place of electing Vestrymen and there take the Votes in the
following manner that is to say He shall open the Poll at Ten o clock in the Forenoon and
after Proclamation to the Freeholders to come and give their Votes for Vestrymen shall
take a List of the Names of the Voters who shall give their Suffrage which shall be for
neither more nor less than Twelve and the Votes shall be given openly and the Poll kept
open till Sun set unless the Majority of the Freeholders there present shall agree to have
it closed sooner and the Sheriff shall then cast up the Number of Votes given for each
Candidate and declare the Twelve who shall have the greatest Number of Suffrages to be
duly elected and in Case of an Equality of Votes among any of the Candidates the Sheriff
shall have the casting vote and in no other Case give his Vote
VI. And to prevent Disputes concerning who shall be understood to be a Freeholder
Be it further Enacted That no Person who hath not an Estate Real for his own Life or the
Life of some other Person or an Estate of greater Dignity in Fifty Acres of Land in the Parish
for which such Election shall be made shall be deemed a Freeholder within the Meaning of
this Act and any one of the Candidates may in Case he suspects any Person going to give
his vote hath not a Freehold within the Meaning of this Act object to such Person giving his
Vote and require the Sheriff to tender him an Oath or Affirmation concerning his Qualification
which Oath or Affirmation the Sheriff is hereby impowered and directed to administer in the
following words to wit You shall swear or affirm That you have been possessed of a Freehold
of Fifty Acres of Land for Three Months past in your own Right in the Parish of and that you
have not given your Vote before in this Election So help you God
VII. And be it further Enacted That no Person under the Age of Twenty one Years shall
give his Vote for the Election of Vestrymen in any Parish
VIII. And to enforce the Attendance of the Freeholders at all future Elections of Vestrymen
Be it further Enacted That every Person qualified to Vote for Vestrymen in the several and
respective Parishes shall and he is hereby required duly to attend and give his Vote at all
future Elections at the Time and in the Manner as is herein before directed unless prevented
by some bodily Infirmity or legal disability under the Penalty of Twenty Shillings Proclamation
Money To be recovered by Warrant from any Magistrate within the County
IX. And be it further Enacted That if any Person shall hereafter at an Election of
Vestrymen give his Vote who is not possessed in his own Right of an Estate for Life or an
Estate of higher Dignity of Fifty Acres of Land in the Parish for the Vestrymen of which he
shall give his Vote such Person shall forfeit Five Pounds Proclamation Money To be recovered
ered by Action of Debt Bill Plaint or Information in the County Court by such Person as will
sue for the same wherein no Essoign Injunction Protection or Wager of Law shall be admitted
and where such Action shall be brought the Onus Probandi shall lie on the Defendant
X. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Person shall be admitted
to be of any Vestry within this Government that doth not wiihin Forty Days after his being chosen
by the Freeholders as i& before directed take the Oaths by Law appointed for the Qualification
of Public Officers and repeat and subscribe the following Declaration to wit I AB do declare That
I will conform to the Liturgy of the Church of England as it is by Law established And all and
every Person chosen and summoned as is hereinbefore directed who shall refuse or neglect to
do the same shall if he be not a Dissenter from the Church of England forfeit and pay the Sum
of Forty Shillings Proclamation Money to be levied and applied as is herein after directed and if
any Person or Persons chosen as is hereinbefore directed shall neglect or refuse to make and
subscribe the said Declaration the other Persons chosen as aforesaid or the Majority of them
shall and may after their having taken the Oaths and repeated and subscribed the aforesaid
Declaration elect and choose another or other Freeholder or Freeholders in Place of him or them
which shall so refuse or neglect to take the Oaths aforesaid or to repeat and subscribe the said
Declaration and such Person or Persons as shall be chosen and electe l by the Vestrymen in
Manner aforesaid shall after his or their taking the Oaths arid repeating the Declaration aforesaid
be deemed and held to be legal Vestrymen to all Intents and Purposes as if they had been
elected and chosen by the Freeholders of the County
XI. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Vestrymen of each and
every Parish respectively or a Majority of them shall and they are hereby directed within Sixty
Days after Easter Monday Yearly to elect and choose out of the said Vestry Two Persons to
execute the Office of Churchwardens in each and every respective Parish and if the Persons
elected Church wardens as aforesaid or either of them shall refuse to execute the said Office he
or they so refusing shall forfeit and Pay Forty Shillings Proclamation Money to be levied and
applied as is herein after directed and the Vestry shall immediately proceed to choose in the Room
of him or them who refuse to execute the said Office another or other Churchwarden or
Churchwardens out of the said Vestrymen Provided that no Person whatsoever shall be obliged
to serve as Churchwarden in any Parish for more than One Year at the expiration of which the
Vestry shall again choose another to succeed him and the Churchwardens of every Parish shall
purchase at the Expence of the Parish Books well bound in Vellum for keeping therein a Journal
and Register of all Proceedings of the Vestry in which shall be fairly stated the Accounts of all
such Monies as they from Time to Time shall receive in Virtue of their Office and all Disbursements
and Expences made on Account of the Parish and within Ninety Days after their Wardenship shall
expire set lip in the Court house of their County on a Court Day and continue the same during the
sitting of such Court fair Copies of such Accounts for Inspection of the Parishoners
XII. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Churchwardens or in Case
they refuse or neglect any Three or more of the Vestry in each Parish respectively shall have full
Power and Authority to call the Vestry together at any Time and upon any Occasion they shall
judge necessary by Warrant or Warrants under their Hands directed to the several Constables of
the several Districts in each respective Parish who shall be obliged to execute the same according
to the Tenor thereof under the Penalty of Ten Shillings for each Vestryman in such Warrant named
whom he shall fail to summon and every Vestryman who shall refuse or neglect to attend the Vestry
agreeable to such Summons shall forfeit and pay the Sum of Ten Shillings Proclamation Money for
every such neglect unless he can show sufficient cause for his so doing to be admitted by the
Majority of the Vestry at their next Meeting to be levied as is herein after directed
XIII. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Vestries of the several
Parishes shall have full Power and Authority upon the Death or Removal out of their respective
Parishes of any Church warden or Churchwardens before the Time limited for the executing the
said Office is expired to elect and choose out of the Vestry another Churchwarden or
Churchwardens in the Room and Stead of the Person or Persons so dead or removed out of the
Parish aforesaid which Churchwarden or Churchwardens so elected shall serve until the Time
appointed by this Act for the Election of Churchwardens
XIV. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Vestry of each respective
Parish shall have full Power and Authority and they are hereby directed and required between
Easter Monday and the First Day of November Yearly to lay such a Poll Tax as they shall judge
necessary for purchasing Glebes and satisfying the Expence of their respective Parishes
XV. And for the better collection and paying the said Tax Be it further Enacted by the
Authority aforesaid That the Vestry of each respective Parish shall and is hereby authorized
and impowered to nominate and appoint such Person as they shall think fit by the Name of
the Collector of the Parish Taxes to collect and receive the aforesaid Tax the Person appointed
giving Bond with sufficient Security that he will duly collect and receive the said Tax and pay
and satisfy unto the Creditors of the Parish all Taxes levied for such Purpose and the Overplus
if any to the Vestry or their Sucessors for the Use of the Parish which Tax shall be collected at
the Time and in the Manner that Public Taxes ought by Law to be collected and shall be allowed
Five Per Cent for his Trouble and have full Power and Authority by Virtue of this Act upon Neglect
or Refusal of Payment of the said Tax or any Part thereof by any Person or Persons chargeable
therewith to distrain the Goods and Chatttels of the Party refusing or neglecting and if the Owner
thereof shall not pay what is due within Five Days after such Distress such Collector may and
shall lawfully sell by Auction the Goods so distrained or so much thereof as shall be sufficient
to satisfy the said Tax and the Charges of Distress and Sale returning the Overplus if any to the
Owner but shall give Notice of the Sale by setting up an Advertisement in Writing at the Church
Door in the Parish or at the most Public Place of Worship where there is no Church and by
publishing the same among the People immediately after Divine Service on the next Sunday after
the Expiration of the said Five Days which Sale shall not be more than Three Days nor less than
Six Days after Notice so given and shall be good and effectual in Law against all Persons
whatsoever And if the Vestry of any Parish shall neglect or refuse to lay a sufficient Tax to satisfy
the Parish Creditors in such Case all and every the Vestrymen of the Parish neglecting or refusing
shall be liable to the Action of the Party grieved his or her Executors or Administrators for all
Damages which he or she shall sustain by such Refusal or Neglect
XVI. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That in every Parish in this Province
where a good and convenient Glebe is not already purchased and appropriated a good convenient
Tract of Land to contain Two Hundred Acres at least shall be purchased by the Vestry and assigned
and set apart for a Glebe for the Use of the Minister of such Parish and his Successors in all Times
hereafter
XVII. And where Mansion and convenient Outhouses are not already erected for the Habitation
of the Minister It is hereby Enacted That the Vestry of every such Parish shall have Power and they
are hereby authorized and required to cause to be erected and built on such Glebe One convenient
Mansion house Kitchen Barn Stable Dairy and Meet house with such other Convenience as they
shall think fit
XVIII. And to the End that the Buildings already erected or hereafter to be erected upon every
Glebe may be kept in good Repair It is hereby further Enacted That every Parish Minister within
this Province shall during the Time of his being Minister of the Parish keep and maintain the
Mansion house and the Out houses and Conveniences erected or to be eiected OB his Glebe in
tenantable Repair and shall so leave the same at his Removal from the Parish or Death Accidents
by Fire or Tempest only excepted and in Case any Minister shall fall to do so such Minister his
Executors or Administrators shall be liable to the Action of the Churchwardens of the Parish for
the Time being wherein the Value of such Repairs shall be recovered and Damages with Costs
of Suit and the Damages so recovered shall be applied and laid out in necessary Repairs upon
the Glebe And every Vestry of a vacant Parish is hereby impowered and required to put all the
Buildings upon the Glebe of their Parish into such good and sufficient Repair that they may be
fit for the Reception of the succeeding Minister Provided nevertheless That any Vestry who shall
judge that the Minister has not wilfully committed any waste on his Glebe may make such
necessary Repairs at the Charge of their Parish as they shall think fit
XIX. And to the End that the Clergy may have a decent and comfortable Maintenance and
Support without being obliged to follow any other Employment than that of their Holy Function
in the Cure of their respective Parishes Be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every
Minister hereafter to be preferred to or received into any Parish within this Province shall have
and receive an Annual Salary of Eighty Pounds Proclamation Money to be levied assessed
and collected and paid in Manner herein before directed Provided always That no Vestry shall
at any Time make Presentation to any Parish of a Missionary whose Duty requires him at any
Time to be absent from such Parish unless such Missionary shall agree with the Vestry for such
Yearly Salary as they shall think fit and reasonable considering the Time his Duty will require
him to be absent And whatever Agreement shall be so made between the Vestry and Minister
shall be binding on such Minister during the Continuance of such Mission any Thing herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding
XX. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Right of Presentation of
a Minister to each respective Parish within this Province shall be and remain in the Vestry of
each respective Parish for and during the Space of Twelve Months after a Vacancy shall happen
in the same and if the Vestry in that Time shall neglect to make Presentation of a Minister to
such Parish it shall and may be lawful for the Governor or Commander in Chief for the Time
being to present and the Minister so presented to the Parish shall be deemed and held to be
the Minister of such Parish and entitled to the same Salary and Dues as if the Vestry had
made the Presentation as is herein before directed Provided nevertheless That in Case the
Vestry of any Parish that shall be vacant one Year shall procure some neighbouring or other
Minister to serve in the Cure of such vacant Parish by performing Divine Service once in Three
Months they shall thereby save to themselves and retain the Right of Presentation for so long
a Time as such Minister shall so serve in the Cure of such vacant Parish Any Thing herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding Provided also That no Vestry within this Province
shall present for their Minister any Person who shall not first have a Certificate from the Bishop
of London that such Minister hath been duly ordained conformable to the Doctrine and
Discipline of the Church of England and i& of a good Life and Conversation
XXI. And be it further Enacted That any Minister of a Parish who shall be guilty of any
notorious Immorality in Disgrace of his Function and to the Scandal of Religion on Conviction
thereof before the Supreme Court of Justice wherein Actions arising in such Parish shall be
triable shall lose his Salary and Dues which he would otherwise be entitled to and such Parish
shall be held and deemed vacant and the Vestry impowered to make Presentation of another in
the same Manner as if the Minister so convicted had been naturally dead
XXII. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Minister of each respective
Parish shall be obliged to officiate in such Parts cf the Parish and at such Times as the Vestry or
a Majority of them shall direct at the Time he shall be received into his Parish and in Case of
Failure it shall be lawful for them to withdraw his Salary unless other Places shall be afterwards
agreed on between such Vestry and Minister and the Vestry in Case of such Failure may and are
hereby impowered to make Presentation of another Minister to such Parish as is herein before
directed to be done in vacant Parishes
XXIII. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Vestry of every Parish shall
have full Power to call every Justice of the Peace or other Person or Persons whatsoever to Account
on Oath and pay to them the Monies in the Hands of him or them belonging to their respective
Parishes or accruing or becoming due to the same by Virtue of the Laws of this Province and if any
Justice or Justices or other Person or Persons shall refuse to appear and account as aforesaid he
or they so neglecting shall forfeit and pay Twenty Pounds Proclamation Money To be recovered by
the Churchwardens of the Parish for the Time being where such Money shall become due by Action
of Debt Bill Plaint or Information in any Court of Record wherein no Essoign Protection Injunction or
Wager of Law shall be allowed and to be applied to the Use of the Parish And where any Suit shall
be brought by the Churchwardens and the Money shall not be by them recovered and received
before the Expiration of their Office the Suit shall be carried on to Execution by the succeeding
Churchwardens in the Name of their Predecessors who brought such Suit and shall be received by
such succeeding Churchwardens to the Use of the Parish Provided that nothing in this Act shall be
construed to repeal any Clause Matter or Thing in an Act of Assembly intituled An Act to enable
the Commissioners herein after mentioned to finish the Church already begun at Edenton
XXIV. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the several Sums of Money arising
and becoming due by Reason of the Forfeitures and Penalties by this Act infiicted and for which no
Method of Recovery or Application is before directed in this Act shall be levied within one Week after
they shall become due by Warrant of Distress from any Two of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace
within the County where the said Penalty or Forfeiture shall be incurred and by Sale of the Defendant's
Goods returning the Overplus if any to the Owner and the Money so levied shall be paid to the
Churchwardens for the Use of the Parish
XXV. And be it further Enacted That all and every other Act and Acts and every Clause and Article
thereof or so much thereof except as before excepted heretofore made so far as they relate to any
Matter or Thing contained within the Purview of this Act is and are hereby repealed and made void to
all Intents and Purposes as if the same had never been made
XXVI. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That this Act shall commence and be
in Force from and after the first Day of June next and that all Acts heretofore legally made and done
by Vestries heretofore chosen and qualified agreeable to the Laws of this Province are hereby declared
to be as good and valid as if this Act had never been made